The idea of women in the sex trade has been with society for so long and has
become so mainstream that it questions the ability of the Korean government, or
any government, to successfully banish prostitution altogether. Last week's
article on "Sex Workers to Form Nationwide Coalition'' brings up a valid point:
Why not give sex workers the same rights as laborers?
Many women turn to prostitution because they are relatively uneducated and
unable to find other means of sufficient financial support. Consequently,
simply imposing crackdowns on the prostitution market and reducing the number
of red-light districts means forcing poverty onto the lives of thousands of
women.
If the Korean government is to impose the law, condemning prostitution as a
crime, then it should be providing other employment opportunities for these
women or helping them pursue a proper education. If the government will take no
further action to ensure the future of these women, then it should at least
recognize those who remain in the business with basic workers' rights.
There are thousands of other, equally uneducated laborers who receive more
working rights than prostitutes. Just because the idea of "sex for money'' is
unethical, does that mean a person's need to survive is not justified?
Prostitution in Japan accounts for 1 percent of their entire GNP. Although this
may not seem like a large amount, 1 percent is equal to the country's defense
budget. If prostitution is such a great industry in one of the most developed
countries in the world, prostitutes around the world should be rightfully
provided with basic rights.
